Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
03-26-2005, 05:00 PM
#252
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
Thanks for the positive input McLeodAviation and flyintexan! Glad you enjoyed the build and the field pictures. As you probably noticed I like building a lot, but I really enjoy flying too when I have a great airframe to fly. Over the years I’ve found that a good building process with a good kit design pays big dividends in how well the aircraft flies and the fun intensity.
03-28-2005, 01:14 PM
#253
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
Like the checker board monokote scheme under the wing. Looks impressive from the ground. I've seen some profile models at the local clubs lately, but this is what model should look like. Like the show room finish, even on a cloudy day it stands out.
03-30-2005, 06:24 PM
#254
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
Thanks Jim! It does show up very well! I’m still thinking about my final trim scheme but I’m flying it as I contemplate.
My new Howard Engineering Kwik Fli III kit shipped today so I should have it by Monday. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the new technology updates, e.g. CAD plans, laser cut wood parts, CNC foam wing cutting, etc. When it arrives I’ll post a review on the new kit. I think right now there is about a two week back log in getting the kits shipped.
I’ve made a change to the Rom-Air nose gear steering cable installation that seems to work very well and I’ll get that posted soon.
My new Howard Engineering Kwik Fli III kit shipped today so I should have it by Monday. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the new technology updates, e.g. CAD plans, laser cut wood parts, CNC foam wing cutting, etc. When it arrives I’ll post a review on the new kit. I think right now there is about a two week back log in getting the kits shipped.
I’ve made a change to the Rom-Air nose gear steering cable installation that seems to work very well and I’ll get that posted soon.
03-30-2005, 09:23 PM
#255
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RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
Looks good 8178. I bet that thing is a blast to fly.
It sort of reminds me of the Fred Reece Cloud Dancer. I know they probably don't fly the same, but the basic airframe save for the empennage shape reminded me of it. Great job finishing it. That shot of the wheels up fly-by is awesome.
It sort of reminds me of the Fred Reece Cloud Dancer. I know they probably don't fly the same, but the basic airframe save for the empennage shape reminded me of it. Great job finishing it. That shot of the wheels up fly-by is awesome.
04-02-2005, 02:28 PM
#258
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
My new Howard Engineering Kwik Fli III kit arrived today. This kit is the tapered wing version sometimes referred to as the Kwik Fli IV that this build thread covered and was very successful in pattern competition. I believe the kit may be offered on a special order with the non-tapered wing for people that are into original look with the big barn door ailerons. The construction of the kit is the same as it was back in the 70s but it has been updated with new CAD plans and state of the art parts cutting and manufacturing. But, the glass fuselage is still hand made in the original 1970 molds. All the plywood parts are now precisely cut with laser and the foam wing core is cut on a CNC foam wing cutter. The kit includes:
1. Assembly manual
2. Plans
3. Engine mounting templates and building detail drawings
4. Foam wing
5. A beautiful pre-premiered fiberglass fuselage
6. Plywood formers and other hardware
7. Pre cut 1 ½” wide balsa ailerons
8. Fiberglas cloth with cutting templates.
As promised I’m going to provide all the details of the updated kit with pictures.
View of the extremely well packaged box and kit contents.
To be continued…
1. Assembly manual
2. Plans
3. Engine mounting templates and building detail drawings
4. Foam wing
5. A beautiful pre-premiered fiberglass fuselage
6. Plywood formers and other hardware
7. Pre cut 1 ½” wide balsa ailerons
8. Fiberglas cloth with cutting templates.
As promised I’m going to provide all the details of the updated kit with pictures.
View of the extremely well packaged box and kit contents.
To be continued…
04-02-2005, 02:33 PM
#259
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
Assembly Manual
The kit contains a well written and bound, 18 page assembly manual. The manual covers the building of the kit in an easy step-by-step process. The manual has a cool foldout copy of the original 1970 plans that I thought was a neat nostalgic touch. The manual has a nice forward written by Tony Howard that explains how and why the kit was developed along with a interesting little interaction story about Phil Kraft when he first saw Tony’s kit in the early 70s .
To be continued…
The kit contains a well written and bound, 18 page assembly manual. The manual covers the building of the kit in an easy step-by-step process. The manual has a cool foldout copy of the original 1970 plans that I thought was a neat nostalgic touch. The manual has a nice forward written by Tony Howard that explains how and why the kit was developed along with a interesting little interaction story about Phil Kraft when he first saw Tony’s kit in the early 70s .
To be continued…
04-02-2005, 02:37 PM
#261
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
New Plans
I have my original Howard Engineering Kwik Fli III plans dated 1970 so it was pretty nice to see the new 2005 plan version! The new plans have been update using a CAD drawing system and are beautifully printed full size on one large paper sheet. The plans include some smaller sheets that have templates for many of the popular engines with different engine positions from full upright to 90 degrees. The SPA gang will be happy to know that the templates also show how to install an OS 91 FS that are very popular in the SPA competition circuit. Plans also show how to install the original trike gear or the popular SPA approved tail dragger setup (not for me though).
To be continued…
I have my original Howard Engineering Kwik Fli III plans dated 1970 so it was pretty nice to see the new 2005 plan version! The new plans have been update using a CAD drawing system and are beautifully printed full size on one large paper sheet. The plans include some smaller sheets that have templates for many of the popular engines with different engine positions from full upright to 90 degrees. The SPA gang will be happy to know that the templates also show how to install an OS 91 FS that are very popular in the SPA competition circuit. Plans also show how to install the original trike gear or the popular SPA approved tail dragger setup (not for me though).
To be continued…
04-02-2005, 03:07 PM
#267
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
Foam Wing
The wing foam core is cut using a CNC foam wing cutter and is very precise that makes a very smooth surface cut. The core spans 30” for each wing panel. To keep the original 640 sq. in. wing area on the tapered wing 2’ balsa wing tip blocks are used. The 2” wing tip blocks give ample room to round the wing tip shape. The leading and trailing edges of both wings are laser straight and the foam is very light! They are marked right and left because the dihedral is pre-cut into the root of the wing.
To be continued…
The wing foam core is cut using a CNC foam wing cutter and is very precise that makes a very smooth surface cut. The core spans 30” for each wing panel. To keep the original 640 sq. in. wing area on the tapered wing 2’ balsa wing tip blocks are used. The 2” wing tip blocks give ample room to round the wing tip shape. The leading and trailing edges of both wings are laser straight and the foam is very light! They are marked right and left because the dihedral is pre-cut into the root of the wing.
To be continued…
04-02-2005, 03:11 PM
#268
RE: Howard Engineering - Kwik Fli III – Build
Fuselage
The fuselage is pre-primed and the glass work is excellent, very light but strong and well engineered. The glass chin piece is pre-joined and the balsa fuselage truss supports are pre-installed in the tail area along with the back wing mount. The fuselage trusses have cool little 1/64” plywood webs installed at the balsa connecting points. You seldom see this type of fine quality in RC kits anymore.
To be continued…
The fuselage is pre-primed and the glass work is excellent, very light but strong and well engineered. The glass chin piece is pre-joined and the balsa fuselage truss supports are pre-installed in the tail area along with the back wing mount. The fuselage trusses have cool little 1/64” plywood webs installed at the balsa connecting points. You seldom see this type of fine quality in RC kits anymore.
To be continued…